Structural changes in Poly(lactic acid)–zeolite nanocomposites exposed to 60Co gamma rays

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites containing 3%, 5% and 7% zeolite used in the present research study were prepared by solution casting. The PLA nanocomposites were structurally characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of the gamma radiation at the absorbed doses of 10, 15 and 20?kGy on the structures and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were investigated in a tetrahydrofuran solvent. Thermodecomposition tests and analyses were carried within 30–500°C range at the rate of 10°C?min^?1 by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The activation energies for thermal degradation of the nanocomposites were calculated from their TG data by Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method. The G values of the nanocomposites were calculated based on molecular weights which were measured by means of gel permeation chromatography before and after the gamma irradiation. The E_a and molecular weight results showed that addition of zeolite to the PLA affected the radiation resistance of the polymer.     

Synthesis and proton conductivity studies of azole functional organic electrolytes

As an attempt to produce azole functional proton conductors, organic electrolytes with triazole and tetrazole functional groups were synthesized via substitution reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride with aminotriazole and aminotetrazole. The samples were doped with triflic acid with molar ratios of 0.25 and 0.50. FTIR, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and elemental analysis were used to characterize the resulting materials. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the samples are thermally stable up to 150?°C. The effect of acid doping on proton conductivity was investigated with impedance spectrometer. Both pure samples and the doped ones revealed high proton conductivity. In anhydrous conditions (TMA)-TriTA_0.50 and TMA-TetTA_0.50 have proton conductivities of 1.8 and 19?mS/cm at 150?°C, respectively. Solid-state NMR studies revealed that there are three different types of hydrogen-bonded acidic proton in the systems. Moreover, these different types of acidic protons present at different ratio in triazole and tetrazole systems.     

Saturation of the all-optical Kerr effect in solids

We discuss the influence of the higher-order Kerr effect (HOKE) in wide bandgap solids at extreme intensities below the onset of optically induced damage. Using different theoretical models, we employ multiphoton absorption rates to compute the nonlinear refractive index by a Kramers-Kronig transform. Within this theoretical framework we provide an estimate for the appearance of significant deviations from the standard optical Kerr effect predicting a linear index change with intensity. We discuss the role of the observed saturation behavior in practically relevant situations, including Kerr lens mode-locking and supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers. Furthermore, we present experimental data from a multiwave mixing experiment in BaF2, which can be explained by the appearance of the HOKE.     

{Bis­[2‐(2‐oxido‐1‐naphthylmethylidene­amino)­phenyl] disulfide}chloroiron(III)

The crystal structure of the title compound, {bis­[2‐(2‐oxido‐2‐naphthyl­idene­amino)­phenyl] di­sulfide‐κ⁵O,N,S,N′,O′}chloroiron(III), [FeCl(C₃₄H₂₂N₂O₂S₂)], has been determined. The structure consists of monomeric iron(III) complexes with distorted octahedral coordination. The di­sulfide functions as a pentadentate ligand and the Fe^III atom is coordinated through two N, two O and one S atom, and one chloride ion. The distance between the second S atom and the Fe^III atom is a non‐bonding 3.8473 (14) Å.     

5‐Chloro‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl­phenyl)­salicyl­ald­imine

The title compound, N‐(5‐chloro‐2‐oxido­benzyl­idene)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl­anilinium, C₁₄H₁₂ClNO₂, is a tridentate Schiff base with almost planar molecules. Each mol­ecule contains a strong intramolecular N—H?O hydrogen bond [2.576 (2) Å]. There is also an intermolecular O—H?O hydrogen bond [2.695 (2) Å] linking neighbouring mol­ecules into infinite chains along the [101] direction.     

Enzyme catalyzed hydroxymethylation of aromatic aldehydes with formaldehyde. Synthesis of hydroxyacetophenones and (S)-benzoins

Benzaldehyde lyase from the Pseudomonas Fluorescens catalyzed reaction of aromatic aldehydes with formaldehyde providing 2-hydroxy-1-arylethan-1-one in high yields via an acyloin linkage. Kinetic resolution of rac-benzoins with formaldehyde providing (S)-benzoins and 2-hydroxy-1-arylethan-1-one via C-C bond cleavage and a bond formation reaction.     

An effective new synthesis of 2-aminopyrrole-4-carboxylates

Efficient syntheses of 2-aminopyrroles are presented starting from β-dicarbonyl compounds, bromoacetonitrile, and amines. Alkylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with bromoacetonitrile furnished α-cyanomethyl-β-dicarbonyl compounds. The condensation reaction of α-cyanomethyl-β-dicarbonyl compounds with amines catalyzed by p-TsOH affords the corresponding enamines in good yields. Base catalyzed cyclization via the addition of an amine moiety to the carbon-nitrogen triple bond of nitrile furnished 2-aminopyrroles in high yields.     

Computation of two‐center Coulomb integrals over Slater‐type orbitals using elliptical coordinates

A general analytic formula is obtained for the two‐center Coulomb integrals over Slater‐type orbitals in elliptical coordinates. Finite series expansions are used in the evaluation of the radial part of the integrals. The analytic formula is expressed in terms of a product of the well‐known auxiliary functions A_k(p) and B_k(p) and incomplete gamma functions. Recursive relations for the computer evaluation of these functions are given as well. The recursive relations are stable and our computer results are in good agreement with the benchmark values given in the literature. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

New and clean synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles under microwave irradiation

N-Substituted homochiral pyrrole derivatives were synthesized by the ring-closure reaction of cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene with various amine compounds on a silica surface under microwave irradiation.     

Immobilization of Invertase in a Novel Proton Conducting Poly(vinylphosphonic acid) – poly(1-vinylimidazole) Network

A novel proton conducting polymer blend was prepared by mixing poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA) with poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVI) at various stoichiometric ratios via changing molar ratio of monomer repeating unit to achieve the highest protonation. The polymer network having the most suitable stoichiometric ratio for substantial proton conductivity was prepared and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and proton conductivity measurements. The network was used for immobilization of invertase and some important kinetic parameters such as the maximum reaction rate (V_max) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) were investigated for the immobilized invertase. Additionally, optimum temperature and pH were determined to acquire the best conditions for the highest enzyme activity. Operational stability of the entrapped enzyme was also examined. The results reveal that the most stable and highly proton conducting polymer network may play a pioneer role in the biosensors applications as given by FT-IR, elemental analysis, impedance spectroscopy and storage stability experiments.